MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Catawba nearly pulled off its second upset of the South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Tournament, but eventually fell 3-2 in overtime to Mars Hill on Friday night at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews. The Lions, seeded sixth, move to 11-5-3 on the season and advance to Sunday's final. The seventh-seeded Catawba Indians end their season at 10-7-2.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Catawba took the lead just before the hour. Simone Trentin put home two goals within a span of four minutes to put the Indians on top. The first came in the 55th minute off a turnover and a feed from Tom Savigar. Savigar would free Trentin with a through ball in the 59th minute to put Catawba on top.

The Indians twice nearly upped the margin to a pair of goals, but Brennan Whalen saved a Savigar shot in the 78th minute on a breakaway and Nate Burns fired just high in the 83rd. Mars Hill eventually equalized with just over three minutes to play as Kevonte Willoughby-Williams got enough to trickle a shot over the goal to force extra time.

In the final seconds of the first overtime period, Willoughby-Williams played Peter Plougmand through to lead to the winner. Whalen finished with five saves for the Lions. Gianluca Tommasi stopped nine shots in goal for Catawba.